SeaWorld Orlando Rescues Manatee From St. Johns River

SEA WORLD has helped more than 24,000 animals

The SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team traveled to Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Florida to rescue a cold-stressed, adult male manatee from the St. Johns River. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

ORLANDO, FLORIDA — The SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team traveled to Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Florida to rescue a cold-stressed, adult male manatee from the St. Johns River.

The SeaWorld team worked alongside members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to successfully rescue the manatee and transport it to SeaWorld.

Upon arrival, the 8-foot-long, 660-pound manatee underwent a full health examination and was given fluids and antibiotics to treat possible infection.

Over the next several weeks, the SeaWorld Orlando Animal Team will closely monitor the manatee’s progress.

This was the 13th manatee rescue of 2014, and the SeaWorld team has returned nine back to their natural environment this year.

In collaboration with the government and other members of accredited stranding networks, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates one of the world’s most respected programs to rescue ill and injured marine animals, with the goal to rehabilitate and return to the ocean.

As part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), SeaWorld Orlando is an acute care rehabilitation facility that provides life-saving medical care to rescued manatees.

If you see an injured marine animal, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at 1-888-404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device. SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 24,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than five decades.